G&GR Wallaby of the Year: OZ vs Wales

[cyclopath]

3 Robinson
2 Pocock (would have gotten three if he'd stayed on)
1 Alexander

Backs are poofs and don't deserve any points when the forwards are so utterly dominant. The best of them was actually Digby - Giteau basically did the same shit he did all year but came up against a Welsh backline with about as much starch and appeal as my sweaty sack after three days and 2100km across western NSW.

Sometimes, Nick, less is more!

 

[RugbyReg]

Ok, finally watched this.

3 - Ben Alexander. Superb.
2 - Dave Pocock.
1 - George Smith

Let's get these all in men (and women??) so we can announce the final winner on Friday!

 

[Lindommer]

Very hard to go past the pigs, magnificent performance by all 10.

3. David Pocock
2. Ben Alexander
1. Dean Mumm

 

[Lance Free]

3. George Smith - the master - absolute champion game and one for the true believers - age shall not weary them!
2. Bam Bam Pocock - the master's apprentice - he's going to be the Richie McCaw of 2011+
1. Matt Giteau - best game for yonks - ran straight and directed the game well (although not quite up to Dan Carter's standard against Le Frogs)

 

[Juan Cote]

3. Smith
2. Gits
1. Alexander

 

[Cutter]

3. Smith
2. Pocock
1. Alexander

 

[waratahjesus]

alright, just so everyone knows, not trying to start an argument, just curious, if you are recognising the front rown and there dominance, how can you rate ben alexander above bennnnnnnnnnn?

i thought they both had superb games, but just thought robinson was brilliant, both in loose and he won us a few tightheads and made his opposite look like shite to the point were he swapped sides.

again, not arguing, just wondering why you rank him higher?

 

[spectator]

Righto, time to get off the fence then.

3. Giteau
2. Robinson
1. Genia

Pocock and Smith were superb, but cant bring myself to award points to players who were only on the field for half the game, when several others played well for 80 minutes. Each was the standout for the forty minutes he was on.

Great game from Alexander and Cooper looked quite assured.

 

[Scotty]

alright, just so everyone knows, not trying to start an argument, just curious, if you are recognising the front rown and there dominance, how can you rate ben alexander above bennnnnnnnnnn?

i thought they both had superb games, but just thought robinson was brilliant, both in loose and he won us a few tightheads and made his opposite look like shite to the point were he swapped sides.

again, not arguing, just wondering why you rank him higher?

I thought Alexander had a few touches in the loose that 1. led to a try and 2. led to a 40m break, while also doing his job in the tight. To be honest, he probably got rated higher than Robinson for me because we are coming to expect that quality standard from Robinson. He is without doubt the Wallaby of the year, by a long way and I have no doubt that is how the overall voting on this site will come out.

 

[Cutter]

Yep, I agree with Scotty. Alexander's effort was definitely a big improvement on his usual game. Robinson's more or less what you expect.

 

[Spook]

Yep, I agree with Scotty. Alexander's effort was definitely a big improvement on his usual game. Robinson's more or less what you expect.

Actually, quite a typical performance from him now he is obviously getting use to scrummaging at THP. He's been doing as much work as Fat Cat around the pitch on this tour.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, I thought Ben Alexander had a slightly better game than Benn Robinson too - not to say that they both weren't very very good. Alexander had a very noticeable runs and, I thought, did a bit more work than usual in the tight. Robinson didn't get his usual turnover/penalty on the deck this game as well. So, Alexander shades it for me.

Although, that first scrum where Robinson doesn't get the chance to bind as the Welsh TH goes straight into the hooker - I thought that Robinson now has a reputation as a destructive scrummager and the Welsh TH was trying to get a sneaky quick one up in the first scrum. Good to see that international scribes are starting to recognise Robinson and Alexander as quality props as well. Those two plus either of the hookers could end up forming the best front row in Wallabies history.

 

[derak]

3. Smith
2. Alexandra
1. Robinson

 

[fatprop]

Yep, I agree with Scotty. Alexander's effort was definitely a big improvement on his usual game. Robinson's more or less what you expect.

Actually, quite a typical performance from him now he is obviously getting use to scrummaging at THP. He's been doing as much work as Fat Cat around the pitch on this tour.

I think Alexander's workrate is what will make him very special going forward. I don't think he is that much better scrummager than the other THPs (including Baxter) but his workrate ............................... the others are just passengers in comparison.

 

[Newb]

i'd point out that alexander's skill set is much better at this young age than the more senior THPs as well. his ball carrying and passing are a huge step above baxter's and others. add that to the effort he shows as you've mentioned and you have a special player. that over the top pass to rocky was straight out of mortlock's playbook.

 

[RugbyReg]

anyone remember where Mr Alexander first really came into the rugby eye?

Twas the defunt ARC wasn't it? Hmmmm...

 

[Scotty]

Teary eyed Noddy? We can't live in the past (as much as many of us would like to be back in '99).

 

[RugbyReg]

agreed. Don't know how much we lost on the ARC, but I reckon if its produced a world class THP then perhaps its worth it?

 

[Viking]

i'll do mine again, since there are no half points etc.

1. Pocock
2. Smith
3. Ben alexander

 

[Boomy]

In before Friday =).

3. Pocock
2. Alexander
1. Smithy